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| Down Under |
| Clank, clank... steel ones... Down Under |
| 2006-08-23 |
| Liberals are no match for fanatics By Dick Little Muslims in many countries outside the U.S. are under public scrutiny, particularly in Australia, because they are the ones carrying the bombs. The government "down under" is cracking down on militants. Prime Minister John Howard is making it clear extremist Muslims face deportation if they do not change their thinking and their message. He wants the Muslim community to "amplify" what he called "Australian principles of Democracy" in their mosques as well as their schools. "If those are not your values, if you want a country that has sharia law or a theocratic state, then Australia is not for you," he told a group of moderate Muslim clerics and scholars. His education minister, Brendan Nelson, is spreading the same message. He told a press conference if Muslims did not want to accept "local values," they should "clear off!" The Australian government apparently is taking a different stance from Canada and the U.S... The Aussie's position is "immigrants, and not Australians, must adapt." Since a London underground train was bombed the people of Australia have experienced a surge in patriotism. The London Tube bombings (July 7, 2005) caused a lot of concerns in countries like Australia that have large Muslim populations. According to the Christian Science Monitor, the Aussie government held a two-hour summit with "moderate" Muslim clerics to work on a "national strategy" for addressing intolerance and the promotion of violence and suggested measures for getting rid of radical Islamists. Missing from the summit were large numbers of young Muslims as well as critical and more conservative clerics. However, those attending hailed the meeting as a "successful first step" in an ongoing dialog. Ali Roude, the acting president of the New South Wales Islamic Council, agreed there must be more communication between the government and Islamic schools when it comes to teaching "common values" like democracy, fairness, and tolerance. "Radicals will be reacted to, whenever they make inflammatory remarks," he said, "it's much worse for us now because July 7 showed the world that the enemy is to be found within," (as opposed to Sept. 11 when the terrorists were all foreigners). Roude then changed his tune and accused the prime minister of "playing politics" with Muslim beliefs and traditions. Later, a senior member of the Federation of Australian Muslim Students and Youth came out in favor of the P.M.. "Muslims must interact more with mainstream Australia," Chabaan Omran said. He also expressed some reservations, however, saying he's worried about the word "assimilate." The prime minister remains very firm on the issue. He wants Australian values taught in Islamic schools, and warned the government would "monitor" what was said, "... (to) insure they did not foster terrorism." He further stated the government would go inside mosques and schools to ensure there was no support for terrorism. "We have a right to know whether there is, within any section of the Islamic Community, a preaching of the virtues of terrorism, (and) whether any comfort or harbor is given to terrorism within that community," he said. Australian Treasurer Peter Costello, believed to be "first in line" for Prime Minister Howard's job, said during a TV interview, "...this country was founded as a democracy...we have a secular state...our laws are made by the Australian Parliament...if those are not your values...if you want a country which has Shari law or a theocratic state, then Australia is not for you!" He went onto say some Muslim clerics recognize two laws: Australian and Shari. "There's only one law in Australia," he continued, "Australian law! We expect those (Muslims) to observe it!" The Prime Minister has been particularly blunt on the issue. He told a TV reporter his government would go inside Mosques and schools "...to the extent necessary to ensure there was no support for terrorism." "We have a right to know whether there is, within any section of the Islamic community, a preaching of the virtues of terrorism, whether any comfort or harbor is given to terrorism with that Community," he warned. He said his comments are directed toward those who are considering coming to his country, as well as those already there. "These (laws) are Australian values," he concluded, "There's no second law. There's only one law that applies in Australia and Australia expects its citizens to observe it!" Can you imaging if President Bush or any member of his Administration made such harsh statements what the "politically correct" media would say? The screaming would never end. Australians understand radical Islamists are a threat to everyone including their more moderate brethren. Radical Islamists are dangerous, evil, and probably a bit "warped" as well. They do not want to take over our country. They want to kill us all (including the "politically correct") because we, like the Australians have a strong belief in democracy and they hate us for it. Since we are the biggest kids on the block, they're going after us in an effort to scare the rest of the world into accepting their fanaticism. Fortunately for us, a large segment of these radicals have committed themselves to fighting us in Iraq. They are taking a severe beating, but they are bringing in large numbers of outside forces. It's regrettable the left in our country can't figure out the dangers in fanatical Islam. Instead they continue to push the idea, "...can't we just get along" and throw in a chorus of, "Cum Bah Yah." That works only with people who feel the same way they do. Radical Muslims preach hate and terror for those that have a different view of religion and politics. If we leave Iraq now, they will take over that country and then come here with a renewed vigor to kill us all. Whether you like it or not, our only real choice is to take them on there, or do it here. The choice is clear. |
| Posted by:twobyfour |
| #8 Needs to be a few more words added, such as "assimilate or die", "it's up to YOU to change, not Australia", and "if you don't like it, leave". There should also be that rejoinder, "Behave yourself and remain in one piece. Other options are not available." As I've said repeatedly, the only thing the muzzies respect is a greater force than they have. We have the force - we need to let it show. |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2006-08-23 20:46 |
| #7 “He also expressed some reservations, however, saying he's worried about the word ‘assimilate’” You can take the boy out of the Jihad but you can’t take the Jihad out of the boy. |
| Posted by: DepotGuy 2006-08-23 10:35 |
| #6 The Australian government apparently is taking a different stance from Canada and the U.S... The Aussie's position is "immigrants, and not Australians, must adapt. WTF? Americans simply expected that in time, the immigrants would adapt. This is the first time we have been confronted with a group that demands everyone else adapt to them. I don't think that we don't expect them to adapt - we are just dealing with the realization that they won't. They are riding high now, but attitudes are changing faster than they realize. |
| Posted by: Jigum Hupolumble7870 2006-08-23 09:49 |
| #5 You are correct, sir. Disarming the Aussie public has left them helpless to the whims of government and the violence of fanatics. |
| Posted by: mcsegeek1 2006-08-23 09:29 |
| #4 Wondering why all these other countries have real problems with muzzies and rape and the US don't seem to have it as much. I am thinking it is because the US citizens are well armed (IMHO). |
| Posted by: djohn66 2006-08-23 08:41 |
| #3 The next step is to hear a politician in the U. S. saying these things. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2006-08-23 08:33 |
| #2 Nice piece, but... this is completely OT, but does anybody else have a cognitive dissonance about an op-ed whose Rb title makes unveiled reference to "steel ones", written by a Dick Little? I find this very confusing myself. |
| Posted by: anonymous5089 2006-08-23 08:31 |
| #1 It's good that Australia's leaders are saying this. The next -- and critical -- step is for this to translate down to police arresting, and prosecutors convicting, the Muslim youths for violence, intimidation and gang rapes. Lacking that, it's only lovely rhetoric. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2006-08-23 08:27 |